How Good For You Is Skiing?

If Austria is famous for anything, it’s for its snow-capped mountains. Skiing holidays in Austria are renowned worldwide for the beautiful scenery, the impeccable powder, and the overall high quality of the experience.

In recent years, people have been raving about the health benefits of skiing. But how true is the hype? How good for you is it to take a skiing holiday in Austria?

Physical Benefits

Skiing is a physical activity. Like all physical activities, how good it is for you depends on how much you do, and how well you do it. Skiing certainly does have the potential to burn a lot of calories and tone a lot of muscles, but the precise amount of benefit you get is pretty much up to you. It may sound obvious, but you won’t get nearly as much beneficial exercise if you’re pottering around by the bar as you will if you’re putting yourself through your paces on the slopes.

Skiing is a multi-muscle exercise. Potentially, the benefits it can bring include:

Fat burning

Muscle toning

Posture correction

Bone strengthening

Increase in stamina

Improvements in cardiovascular health

Improvements in core strength

Improvements in flexibility

You can also burn an enormous amount of calories daily (a bonus, if you’re the kind of person who enjoys some hearty apres ski in the bar of an evening!). Skiing uses almost every muscle in the body, and it takes a lot of energy. The great thing is, you won’t even realise that you’re working as hard as you are, because skiing is so much fun, and so exhilarating!

However, it’s worth noting that you shouldn’t push yourself too hard (or attempt anything you’re not sure of) simply in order to lose weight or tone your muscles. Even if you’re fully covered for potential damages, it’s not worth risking your health or safety to cut a few pounds! Go at your own body’s pace, and don’t try anything you’re not comfortable or confident attempting.

Mental Benefits

One of the areas in which skiing really excels itself is in the arena of mental health. The simple act of getting outside into the snowy sunlight works wonders on a person’s state of mind. Sunlight gives the body a dose of Vitamin D, and also encourages the brain to release a neurotransmitter called serotonin. Both serotonin and Vitamin D are associated with potent uplift in moods – so much so that serotonin is used in the treatment of clinical depression. The fact that our Austrian mountain sunlight reflects of our Austrian mountain snow potentially doubles the Vitamin D/serotonin effect – but do remember to wear sunscreen!

Many scientists also believe that being surrounded by beautiful scenery is good for you. It makes us feel uplifted, reduces stress levels, and generally makes us feel better about life. Austria’s mountains are considered among the most beautiful places in the world, so you’d be hard pressed to find a more beautiful location to lift your spirits!

Then there’s the socialising you do when you’re skiing. Even if you travel alone, the likelihood is that you’ll meet plenty of like minded people to enjoy a beverage with after a day’s skiing. The exhilaration and general atmosphere of a good ski resort (as well as the aforementioned sunshine effect) puts everyone in a great mood – and that usually translates to a generally amicable and gregarious attitude. Ski holidays are a great opportunity to socialise, to make new friends, and to improve your bond with existing friends. And that’s great for your mental health overall. Numerous studies show that socialising is incredibly important for promoting and maintaining positive mental health. So bonding with your friends over a post-ski beer in the bar could be an even better idea than you realise!

Benefits Of Foreign Travel

Then there’s the fact that skiing holidays in Austria take place in…well, in Austria. If you’re coming here from abroad, it’s worth noting that foreign travel is widely credited with a number of positive effects, including (but not limited to):

Enhanced creativity

A better sense of perspective

Improved mental health

More positive relationships with others

Stress relief

Greater life satisfaction

It’s also great fun!

All in all, if you’re looking for a holiday which will be not only enjoyable, but will also have a hugely positive effect on your life and health, a skiing holiday in Austria could be just the thing for you.

[…] a ski trip is the perfect way to spend a winter holiday. Not only is it a fun opportunity to boost your physical health and fitness, but it is also a great way to de-stress. The combination of the sunlight, amazing scenery and […]